Forecast

Mural shows Park City’s many facets

Frank Juliano| on
September 13, 2015

Bridgeport Mounted Police Officer Tom Choothesa discusses his wall-sized mural, featuring 70 portraits representing the range of residents in the Bridgeport community, in the chief's office at police headquarters in on Sept. 9. Painted in 2001, the mural took Choothesa about 200 hours to complete. less

Bridgeport Mounted Police Officer Tom Choothesa discusses his wall-sized mural, featuring 70 portraits representing the range of residents in the Bridgeport community, in the chief's office at police ... more

Bridgeport Mounted Police Officer Tom Choothesa discusses his wall-sized mural, featuring 70 portraits representing the range of residents in the Bridgeport community, in the chief's office at police headquarters in on Sept. 9. Painted in 2001, the mural took Choothesa about 200 hours to complete. less

Bridgeport Mounted Police Officer Tom Choothesa discusses his wall-sized mural, featuring 70 portraits representing the range of residents in the Bridgeport community, in the chief's office at police ... more

BRIDGEPORT — To see the city through Officer Tom Choothesa‘s eyes is to appreciate the diversity of its residents and its cultural attractions.

The 25-foot-long mural Choothesa painted on a wall of Chief Joseph Gaudett’s outer office in 2001 will be removed and preserved when the office is renovated, or if a new police headquarters is built.

“I’m collecting memorabilia of the department for the day when we move, and it is my hope to preserve this mural and reinstall it in the new police headquarters,’’ Sgt. Nancy O’Donnell said.

Plans for a new police building are in a very early “talking’’ stage, officials said.

Choothesa, who painted the mural at night, spent about 90 hours on it over six weeks, paying for the paints himself.

“(Then) Chief Wilbur Chapman asked for a flag in it, and after 9/11, I made the whole background an American flag.’’

A lot of the 70 or so people shown on the mural look familiar to Ann Kubel, the chief’s secretary.

“I recognize a lot of these people,’’ she said. “A lot of them still work here.’’

Choothesa, a city police officer for 22 years, has an art degree from the University of Bridgeport and has done many freelance projects, including portraits. He is a city native.

“When my husband and I got married and went to Hawaii, Tom used a photo of us, but put us in Hawaiian shirts for a portrait that was our wedding present,’’ Kubel said.

There are some tip-offs that the mural was done some time ago.

One woman is holding a comically large cellphone with a long antenna. Then Bishop William E. Lori, who has since become the head of the Archdiocese of Baltimore, anchors the right side of the painting.

A mounted Bridgeport police officer proudly sits astride his horse at the other end. Choothesa is a member of the department’s mounted unit.

Some of the landmarks mentioned, including the Polka Dot Playhouse, are no longer operating. But several people in the mural wear sweatshirts with the logos of city schools and civic organizations, including Choothesa‘s alma mater, UB.

To paint the intricate logos of the Bridgeport Bluefish and the Sound Tigers the artist said he taped a photo of the teams’ jerseys to the wall and copied them exactly.

What is most striking about the mural is how black, white and Asian faces are intermingled, clergy of several faiths are represented, and residents of all ages enjoy each others’ company.

“I like this mural because it shows Bridgeport’s diversity,’’ said Kevin Coughlin, Gaudett’s spokesman. “Everyone who comes into the office comments on it; people really like it.’’